Cash register indicating mechanism



Dec. 13, 1949 R. K. HODEL ETAL 2,490,807

CASH REGISTER INDICATING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 19, 1946 i ROQaZcZ KJ'IoJeZ 6 Oscar AHodel IIIIIIIIIIIII -A r 'irf VIII/[III]!1YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/ Patented Dec. 13, 1949 CASH REGISTER INDICATING MECHANISM Ronald K. Hodel and Oscar A. Hodel, Rockford, Ill.

Application December 19, 1948, Serial No. 717,140

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a cash register indicator mechanism and has for its principal object the provision of simple and positive means for indicating to a store proprietor or clerk the denomination of the bill tendered by a customer for which change is to be given, whereby to eliminate the embarrassment of having to ask the customer what denomination of bill it was that he tendered, because, under such circumstances, the proprietor or clerk is completely at the mercy of the customer and there is no telling until the cash in the cash drawer has been balanced at the end of the day whether the customer told the truth or not, and, hence, the danger of serious monetary losses.

The salient feature of the indicator mechanism of our invention is the provision of a tell-tale light or legend connected in electrical circuit with each hold-down finger in the bill compartments of the cash drawer and arranged to be operated the instant the hold-down finger associated therewith is raised for the placing of a bill thereunder and arranged to remain so throughout the transaction until the drawer is closed at the end of the transaction, whereby to eliminate any doubt as to what denomination of bill was tendered by the customer, regardless of how prolonged a conversation might intervene between the tendering of the bill and the giving oi the change, or regardless of how many interruptions or distracting circumstances might occur tending to raise a doubt in the mind of the person making change.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a plan view of the cash drawer of a cash register showing the selector switches connected to the hold-down fingers in the bill compartments, in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 to better illustrate the mode of operation of the selector switches by the hold-down fingers;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the relay switch mechanism of our invention;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts throughout the views.

Referring first to Figs. land 2, the reference numeral 6 designates the cash drawer of a cash register having guide strips 1 on the opposite sides thereof slidable in suitable guides provided therefor in the cabinet of the register, the side walls of which are indicated in section in Fig. 1.

At 8, 9 and [0 are indicated the bill compartments for $1, $5 and $10 bills, respectively. I I, I2 and I3 designate the usual spring-pressed holddown fingers pivotally mounted in the bill compartments and having coiled tension springs 14 connected at one end to the back of the drawer and at the other end to the middle portions of the fingers in such relationship to their pivots I8 as to hold the fingers in either lowered or raised position, the springs H moving past a dead center position relative to the pivots IS in the movement of the fingers up or down so as to throw a given finger upwardly abruptly when it has been raised far enough to bring the spring I4 thereof past the dead-center, and vice versa. Attached to one side of each of these fingers l l-l3, in accordance with our invention, is a selector switch in the form of a leaf spring l6 which oscillates with the finger and is normally in spaced relation to a terminal pin I1, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2, namely, when the hold-down finger is in the lowered position holding the bills l8 in place in the bill compartment. The spring Hi, however, is arranged to come into contact with the pin i! the instant the hold-down finger is raised, even to a small extent, and thereafter to be fiexed in the further upward movement 0! the hold-down finger, as indicated in the dotted line position of the hold-down finger in Fig. 2, whereby to complete an electrical circuit for the operation of a signal, as hereinafter more iully described, to indicate immediately which hold-down finger has been raised and continue to give such indication until the cash drawer has been closed. In other words, the person making change will have to raise the hold-down finger in the $10 bill compartment in order to place a $10 bill tendered by a customer in that compartment, and, assuming that there are three difierently colored electric signal lights ll, l2 and I3 correlated with the three hold-down fingers, and assuming that the light I! for signalling a $1 bill is green, and the light 12' for signallinga $55 bill is red, and the light l3 for signalling a $10 bill is yellow, the yellow light I3 will be lighted the instant the finger I3 is raised, and it will remain lighted throughout the transaction until the cash drawer is closed, no matter what other hold-down fingers may be raised thereafter for easier access to bills of smaller denomination, and no matter if the finger I3 is returned to its normal position after having once been raised. This signal, therefore, eliminates all doubt in regard to the denomination of the bill for which change is being made, and the proprietor or manager of the store is safeguarded against the likelihood of change being given for a bill of larger or smaller denomination than was received, and there is also avoided the embarrassment of having to ask the customer what denomination of bill he tendered; Of

course, the cash register may be equipped with suitably colored or numbered flags or indicator arms instead of the lights, which can be actuated electro-magnetically, like the tell-tale flags or indicators on an annunciator, and, where the business is of a kind requiring the frequent handling of $20 bills or even $50 bills and $100 bills, additional signal lights or other signal means arranged to be operated by the related hold-down fingers will be provided.

The terminals I! of selector switches l8 are electrically connected by conductors 9 with a relay switch mechanism indicated generally by the reference numeral 20. This mechanism can be housed in the cabinet of the cash register or located at any other convenient place and comprises three solenoids 2|, 22 and 23 that are associated with the three hold-down fingers l I, I2 and I3, respectively, one end of the coil of each of these solenoids being connected by a conductor l9 with the terminal l! of the related selector switch It, and the other ends being connected by a conductor 24 with one end of the secondary winding 25 of a transformer indicated at 26. The other end of the primary winding 25 is connected by conductor 21 with the fingers |||3 to deliver current to the selector switches It so as to complete the circuit through any one of the coils of the solenoids 2|23 when the related hold-down finger is raised. Connected to the same end of the secondary winding 25 with conductor 21 is another conductor 28 which is connected to a floating contact arm 29 which is mounted loosely in a hole in the center of a supporting plate 30 of insulation material and has a weight 39' on its lower end which tends to cause the arm 29 to gravitate back to a vertical position whenever it is free to do so but which will not interfere much with the free movement of the arm 29 when drawn magnetically in the direction of any one of the solenoids 2|23. Now, there are hinged contacts 3|, 32 and 33 carried on a support 34 and connected by conductors 35 with one side of the sockets for the lights i, I2 and I3, there being also a common connection 36 for the other side of all of the sockets with the first mentioned end of the secondary winding 25 of the transformer, whereby to complete a circuit through any one of the signal lights when the arm 29, due to energization of the appropriate solenoid 2|, or 22, or 23, is swung in the appropriate direction, as indicated, for example, in dotted lines in Fig. 4, where the arm 29 in the dotted line position is indicated as behind the hinged contact 3|, as when a $1 bill has been tendered by the customer and the hold-down finger II has accordingly been raised, energizing the solenoid 2|. The green signal-light ii in such a situation is accordingly lighted, the circuit through that light being completed by engagement of the arm 29 with the contact 3|. It is important to note that the circuit through the signal light when completed in this way cannot be broken by merely returning the hold-down finger to its normal position and also that the raising of any other hold-down finger cannot change the signal, because, once the arm 29 has been swung into position behind the hinged contact 3|, 32, or 33, as the case may be, it is held by the contact in the moved position until the support 84, which is mounted on a leaf spring 31 carried on the underside of a plate 83 of insulation material, is raised to release the arm 29 before the arm can return to its normal position. A solenoid 39 is provided for that purpose and is energized only for a brief interval when the cash drawer is closed, there being a leafspring switch element 49 fixed to the cabinet of the cash register alongside the drawer and arranged to slide over an insulated terminal provided on the side of the cash register in the closing of the drawer. Thus, the relay switch mechanism 20 is cleared" only when the cash drawer is closed at the end of a transaction. Another' advantage of this arrangement lies in the fact that there is no current flowing through the coil 39 except for a very brief interval in the closing of the drawer. In like manner, the primary winding 42 of the transformer 26 is arranged to be connected across the line by a leaf spring switch 43 provided on the cabinet of the cash register and arranged to have sliding contact with an insulated terminal 44 provided on the side of the cash drawer, thus completely divorcing the signal lights ||--|3 and the selector switches is and relay switch mechanism 29 from the current source so long as the cash drawer is closed.

In Fig. 3, we have illustrated the relay switch mechanism 29 in perspective, the same comprising a base plate 45 on which are mounted at the four corners vertical screws 48 for supporting the plate 39 at a predetermined elevation with respect to the base plate, nuts 41 being threaded on the screws 46 and disposed above and below the plate 39, as shown. Another plate 48 of insulation material is disposed above and parallel to the plate 39 and is supported on nuts 99 threaded on the screws '99. This plate has a center hole 59 through which the arm 29 extends for cooperation with the solenoids 25-23 that are mounted on top of the plate 98 in circumferentially spaced relation around the hole 50 and radially disposed with respect thereto. The top plate 38 which is supported on nuts 5| threaded on the screws 46 carries the solenoid 39 on the top thereof over a center hole 52 so that it is disposed in proper relationship to the support 34 under the plate 39, carrying the contacts 3|33. The lugs 53 provided on the inner side of the contacts 3l-3'i at their hinged ends limit the return movement of these contacts when they are swung outwardly by the arm 29, and in that way the arm 29 is held in the moved position .until the support 39 is raised when attracted by energization of the solenoid 39. The outwardly projecting lugs 54 provided on the opposed lateral edges of each of the contacts 3|33 serve to confine the end of the arm 29 when it is behind one of the contacts and thus maintain a given signal circuit until the drawer 8 is closed.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a good understanding of the objects and advantages of our invention. The appended claims have been drawn to cover all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

We claim:

1. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination of an electric current source, manually operable selector switches individual to the different bill denominations, relay switch means connected in circuit with said switches and said source, electric signal means individual to said selector switches and connected in circuit with said source and relay switch means so as to be operated selectively in response to the operation of said selector switch to indicate the denomination of the bill, means maintaining the signal circuit independently of subsequent operation of that selector switch after one of said selector switches has once been closed, and means whereby the signal circuit is broken automatically by closing the drawer.

2. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination of an electric current source. manually operable selector switches individual to the different bill denominations, relay switch means connected in circuit with said selec'tor switches and said source, electric signal means individual to said selector switches and connected in circuit with said source and relay switch means so as to be operated selectively in response to the operation of said selector switch to indicate the denomination of the bill, means maintaining the signal circuit independently of subsequent operation of that selector switch after one of said selector switches has once been closed, and manually operable means for breaking the signal circuit.

3. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of an electric current source, selector switches individual to and operable by said fingers, electrical solenoids individual to and connected in circuit with the various selector switches and with said source for energization in response to lifting of said fingers, a swingable contact arm arranged to be attracted by whichever solenoid is energized, contact members individual to said fingers hingedly suspended on a support and arranged in the path of and so as to be swung out of the way by said contact arm in the movement thereof, said contact members being limited in their return movement so as to catch said arm and prevent return movement thereof, electric signal means individual to said fingers and connected in circuit with said source, said arm, and said contact members so as to be operated selectively in response to the 4. An indicator as set forth in claim 3, wherein the last named means comprises an electrical solenoid which when energized moves said support carrying said contact members, and switch means operable automatically in the movement of the cash drawer and connected in circuit with said source and said solenoid to energize the latter at a predetermined point in the movement of said drawer.

5. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of manually operable elements individual to the bill denominations, of bill denomination signal means individual to and operatively connected with said elements so as to be actuated selectively according to the denomination of a given bill, means maintaining said signal means independently of subsequent operation of the manually operable element which originally operated the signal means, and means whereby the signal means is released manually.

6. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of bill denomination signal means individual to and operatively connected with said fingers so as to be actuated selectively when the finger related thereto is raised preparatory to placing a bill therebeneath, means for releasably locking the signal means in actuated condition independently of said fingers so that the return of the related finger to down position will not affect the signal, and means for automatically releasing the signal means in the closing of the drawer.

'7. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of bill denomination signal means individual to and operatively connected with said fingers so as to be actuated selectively when the finger related thereto raised preparatory to placing a bill therebeneath, means for releasably looking the signal means in actuated condition independently of said fingers so that the return of the related finger to down position will not affect the signal, and means operable automatically in the movement of the cash drawer for releasing said signal means.

8. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of bill denomination signal means individual to and operatively connected with said fingers so as to be actuated selectively when the finger related thereto is raised preparatory to placing a bill therebeneath, means for isolating the signal means from operative relationship with the other fingers and locking the operated signal in operated condition independently of the raised finger so that return of the raised finger will not affect the signal nor will the raising of any other or others of the fingers, and means for automatically releasing the signal means in the closing of the drawer. 9. In a. cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill com partments of the drawer, of bill denomination signal means individual to and operatively connected with said fingers so as to be actuated selectively when the finger related thereto is raised preparatory to placing a bill therebeneath, means for isolating the signal means from operative relationship with the other fingers and locking the operated signal in operated condition independently of the raised finger so that return of the raised finger will not affect the signal nor will the raising of any other or others of the fingers, and means operable automatically in the movement of the cash drawer for releasing said signal means.

10. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of bill denomination signal means individual to and operatively connected with said fingers so as to be actuated selectively when the finger related thereto is raised preparatory to placing a bill therebeneath, each of said signal means being so connected with its respective finger and so related to the connections of the other signal means with their fingers to preclude the operation of a second signal means once a first signal means has been operated, whereby to indicate positively which finger was first raised, each signal means being furthermore so designed and constructed to continue the signal independently of subsequent movement of the finger responsible in the first place for the operation of the signal means, and means operable automatically in the movement of the cash drawer for resetting the signal means to normal retracted position.

11. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination of an electric current cult independently of subsequent operation of that selector switch after one of said selector switches has once been closed, and manually operable means for breaking the circuit.

12. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of manually operable switch elements individual to the bill denominations, of a plurality of difierently colored electric light bulbs for designating different bill denominations each operatively connected with a difl'erent switch element so as to be lighted when the switch element is closed,

means maintaining the light circuit independently of subsequent operation of that switch element after one of said switch elements has been closed, and manually operable means for breaking the circuit.

5 13. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of a plurality of differently colored electric light bulbs for desig- -nating different bill denominations each operatively connected with a difierent finger so as to be lighted when the finger is raised, and means whereby the circuit for a lighted bulb is maintained independently of the subsequent lowering of the related finger, and means for automatically releasing the signal means in the closing of the drawer.

14. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality oi bill compartments of the drawer, of a plurality of dii; ferently colored electric light bulbs for desig nating different bill denominations each opera; tively connected with a difierent finger so as to be lighted when the finger is raised, means whereby the circuit for a lighted bulb is maintained independently of the subsequent lowering of the related finger, and means whereby the signal light circuit is automatically broken in the closing movement of the drawer.

15. In a cash drawer bill denomination indicator the combination with a plurality of bill hold-down fingers in the plurality of bill compartments of the drawer, of a plurality of differently colored electric light bulbs for designating diiierent bill denominations each operatively connected with a different finger so as to be lighted when the 'flnger is raised, and means for isolatl ing the signal light bulbs from operative relationship to the other fingers'to maintain the circuit for the lighted bulb independently of the raised finger so that return of said finger to lowered position will not afiect the signal nor will the raising of a second or third finger, and means for automatically releasing the signal means in the closing of the drawer.

RONALD K. HODEL.

OSCAR A. HODEL.

REFERENCES CHJIED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,153,737 Van der Hoorn et a1. Sept. 14, 1915 1,903,535 Scott Apr. 11, 1933 2,191,329 Strauss Feb. 20, 1940 2,416,963 Stelter Mar. 4, 1947 

